Chapter 6 - A Dark Reality
Day 12 -589 students remaining.
On day 12, just after the morning announcement, the final team arrives. Ichika gathers everybody to report any findings.
“Let’s cut to the chase. Did anybody find any sign of an exit?”
They all begin to look down with sadness.
One team reports a finding.
“On one side of the city, there appears to be an elevator. But it’s locked behind blast-proof doors. There’s no way we can open it. We tried everything. Even if we could open it, I would guess that it can only be operated from some kind of control centre.”
Ichika’s hope begins to dimmer as Himari looks at the ground. The room is silent as nobody is sure what to say. Depression hangs in the air. One person has a question.
“Should we tell everyone?”
Maro Taro is quick to jump in.
“Of course we should. It’s the right thing to do.”
Ichika debates with herself for a moment before speaking.
“How are we going to announce this to everyone?”
Shuji decides to use his connection to Mikuni to make it easier. Shuji holds Ichika’s oshoulder.
“We’ll do it together. Everybody else, you can do what you want from here on out. Ichika, come with me.”
Before they could leave, Shuji stops for a moment and faces Ichika.
“Oh, one last thing. Give me the maps of the city.”
Ichika hands all of the maps over to Shuji with a confused expression on her face.
Shuji begins to walk around the city with Ichika until they find Mikuni.
The tallest building in this city is a skyscraper-style building. Apparently, Mikuni and his crew have made it their home. Security is at the entrance. They are quick to notice Shuji enter the building and head over.
“Nobody’s allowed to see Mikuni.”
Shuji looks annoyed and faces the guard.
“He’s expecting me. Tell him I have something that will certainly interest him.”
One of the guards heads into the elevator and comes back a few minutes later. He nods and allows Shuji and Ichika to enter the elevator.
“Top floor.”
Shuji presses the button for the top floor as the elevator doors close.
Shuji and Ichika leave the elevator and notice a large office style room with a single desk where Mikuni is sitting. Mikuni greets him.
“Shuji. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Mikuni notices Ichika as she and Shuji walk towards Mikuni’s desk.
“Oh. And you brought a guest.”
Shuji begins to explain the situation to Mikuni.
“This is Ichika. She headed the escape team.”
Mikuni is slightly surprised by this.
“Did you have any success?”
Shuji and Ichika remain silent for a moment. Before Shuji could speak, Mikuni starts to speak.
“Your silence says it all. No chance of escape. Zero.”
Shuji begins to speak.
“Word is going to get out eventually. I thought you should be the first to know. It’s your call. If you want to announce it or if you want word to spread slowly from person to person.”
Mikuni begins to think about the situation.
“It’s better that I rip the band aid off early. There’s no point in trying to hide it.”
Shuji nods his head in agreement. Mikuni wonders if this was the only reason why Shuji has come to see him.
“Was there anything else?”
Shuji hesitates for a moment and then asks a question.
“I see you’ve built a society here. What role do I play?”
Mikuni is surprised that Shuji would ask such a question. Before responding, Mikuni raises his arm towards the elevator.
“Ichika, could you leave us in private please.”
Ichika nods and heads into the elevator and back onto the ground floor. Mikuni answers Shuji.
“I need somebody who’s in good standing with the people. I have no doubt that despite my crew’s power, crime will still take place. I would guess that you can be our investigator.”
Before Shuji could agree, Mikuni continues to speak.
“However, the offer to join my crew still stands. Are you sure that you don’t want to be a part of it?”
Shuji shakes his head.
“I’ll be the city investigator. I’m not interested in joining anybody’s crew.”
Before Shuji leaves, he remembers his companions. Shuji decides to mention this to Mikuni.
“Actually, I made a few friends over the past few days. I’d like to decide their roles if that’s ok.”
Mikuni sighs before speaking.
“Listen Shuji, doing something for you is one thing, but giving slack to everyone is not an option.”
Shuji smiles a cheeky grin.
“I had a feeling that you’d say that. So, I have a proposition for you.”
Mikuni is intrigued by this.
“Oh?”
Shuji pulls the city maps from his pocket and shows them to Mikuni.
“I have these. Each one is a detailed map of a segment of the city. Together, they contain the whole city. I know something like this would be extremely useful for you.”
Mikuni thinks for a moment. He knows that those maps will prove to be a massive help to him and his governance over the city.
“Very well. Name the people.”
Shuji thinks bout Himari.
“There’s a girl named Himari who was in the escape team. She seems timid but I want her to remain here. Give her a position that will keep her in favourable standing.”
Mikuni thinks for a moment.
“Yes, of course. I’ll need to meet her myself but perhaps I could make her my secretary.”
Shuji nods before continuing.
“I made two friends a few days ago. I want my two companions to remain as my deputies.”
Mikuni wonders who Shuji has decided to be worthy of his companionship. Shuji names his friends.
“A girl named Kanna and a guy named Maro Taro.”
Mikuni is surprised by this and speaks.
“The fat kid? If you can get some use out of him, then go for it.”
Shuji and Mikuni are in agreement.
Mikuni later tells his crew to spread news that he has an announcement. Later in the day, the time for the announcement comes. Everyone is gathered around Mikuni who is standing on a platform to address the crowd.
“My fellow students. I have grave news. The escape team has finished conducting their search for exits. I regret to inform you all that escape is not possible. But do not lose hope. One year. I ask you to hold onto your faith for one year. I ask you to remain here for one year. I promise you that if you all follow my lead than after one year, we shall all return home.”
Though almost everyone accepted that no exit could be found, some students couldn’t take the pressure and ended their lives.
